Delhi HC suspends former Haryana CM's jail term for Rs 50 lakh fine

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has suspended the four-year jail sentence of former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala in a disproportionate assets (DA) case.

Justice Yogesh Khanna granted bail to the 88-year-old politician and said the suspension of the sentence is subject to the payment of a fine of Rs 50 lakh which was imposed by a trial court. Chautala also needs to pay a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh with one surety of like amount.

The High Court also noted that Chautala has spent about one year and six months in custody. His appeal might take some time to come on board for a hearing. "The appellant shall not visit abroad except with the permission of the learned Trial Court," said the court order.

Chautala however remains in jail due to the sentence awarded in another case. The court noted that he was granted bail in the present case and furnished the bail bonds, but he remained in custody and was never released from jail.

He was convicted on May 27 by the trial court and awarded a four-year jail term to him while also imposing a fine of Rs 50 lakh for acquiring disproportionate assets from 1993 to 2006. The CBI filed the case in 2005 and filed a charge sheet in 2010. The investigative agency accused him of amassing assets disproportionate to his legitimate income.